Yes, you will notice a control panel mounted to the side of your house. This panel has an alarm which will sound and light when there is a problem. The noise can be silenced by pressing a button on the right side of the box. You will need to contact us when this alarm goes off. Never open the control panel.

How to silence the alarm

You do have a septic tank and a pump on your lot. The tank and pump are owned by you. The pump sends your sewage through a low-pressure pipe system to a wastewater treatment system where the water is cleaned and discharged back to the enviricholas onment. Your monthly fees pay for the maintenance of the distribution system, regulatory compliance, and all of the costs associated with the wastewater treatment and disposal system including operation and replacement costs. Pinnacle will provide routine inspections of your tank system and recommend pumping of your tank when needed. You may opt to join the septic tank effluent pump (STEP) system repair plan for a small monthly fee to cover the costs of pump repairs and routine tank pumping by completing the application included with the User Manual.

If a power outage occurs, it is not necessary to call Pinnacle. Your system is designed to work normally once power returns. Your tank has capacity for approximately 24-48 hours of limited use during a power outage (e.g. toilets, sinks, showers). If your electric power provider cannot restore power within 24 hours, please conserve water as much as possible to avoid using all of the capacity of your pump tank and causing an overflow. After a long power outage, it is normal for the alarm light and buzzer to turn on. The alarm will go off in less than one hour after the power outage is over. You can silence the alarm by pushing the silence button on the right side of the pump control panel on the side of your house.

You can silence the alarm by pushing the silence button on the right side of the pump control panel. If the power has just come on after a long power outage, the red alarm light may stay illuminated for up to an hour while the tank pumps down. If there has not been a power outage, call Pinnacle at (205) 382-4271 and we will send a technician to assess the problem. Any repairs to the tank, pump or controls should be provided by a qualified professional. You have the right to use any utility service company you choose; however, the work must be in accordance with Pinnacle standards and the work must be reviewed by Pinnacle upon completion.

To avoid costly repairs, you may opt to join the septic tank effluent pump (STEP) system repair plan offered by EOS Utility Services for a small monthly fee to cover the costs of pump repairs and routine tank pumping by completing the application included with the User Manual.

Pinnacle maintains all of the sewer collection system which is generally located in the road right-of-way. You are responsible for tank, pump and accessories located within your yard. Pinnacle will periodically inspect your system to ensure it is working properly and provide support when needed. However, any plumbing issues (which includes the internal house plumbing to the tank in your yard) should be handled by a licensed plumber. Issues with the tank, pump or control panel in your yard should be handled by a qualified professional familiar with your system. EOS Utility Services (205 974-8131) can service your system and provide emergency response, when needed. The homeowner is responsible for maintaining the sewer lines on your property and for providing electricity to the pump control panel, if equipped.

Never flush any kind of wipes (even if the container is labeled flushable or safe for sewer) or dental floss, fats, cooking oils or grease, feminine hygiene products, condoms, disposable diapers, paper towels, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, mud, sand straw, metal shavings or other items that can clog and potentially damage your sewer system. These items should be disposed of in your garbage can. Never flush household chemicals, photographic developing chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint or paint thinner. These items can create hazardous conditions for maintenance personnel. These items should be taken to the appropriate local hazardous materials handling or recycling station. Pump or sewer failures caused by flushing prohibited items down the drain will be repaired by Pinnacle, but you will be responsible for the cost of repairs.

If the sewer is backing up in your house there are a couple of things to check first. Is it only one sink or toilet? If so, it is probably a plumbing problem in your house. You should call a licensed plumber to help you fix the plumbing problem or clear the clogged line in your house. Is the circuit breaker labeled SEWER, SEWER PUMP, SUMP PUMP or just PUMP in your breaker box in the house tripped or off? A tripped breaker will be in the “middle position” not on or off, but in the middle. If the breaker is tripped, turn it to the “OFF” position and then back to “ON”. If you see sewage coming out of the green pump tank lid or out of the cleanout that is located at ground level near your house, or if the alarm light/buzzer is on call Pinnacle at (205) 382-4271 or through our contact email.

No. These additives can harm the biological treatment process.

The tank should be pumped out typically on a 5-to-7-year interval, depending on usage. You should never open the tank lid. Pinnacle can inspect your tank and provide guidance on pumping status. Pinnacle can also recommend qualified and fair septage pumpers when the time is needed to pump the tank.

The monthly bills are prepared on the 10th of the month to be mailed out. Payments that are made or received at our office after the 10th of the month will not be reflected on the current bill but are credited to your account.